Dorene Sykes Photography Blog

Winter Wonderland on Cape Cod

Dorene Sykes — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:17:46 +0000

I walked around our neighborhood a couple days ago after the first winter storm on Cape Cod that blanketed our world with ten inches of snow. Here’s an image I had fun playing with. The original photograph, a sort of pencil sketch version, and a watercolor style version. The last one blows out the highlights, breaking the traditional photography rule of having detail in the whites. But I like it, which is all that matters.

What’s your favorite?

Falmouth Cape Cod Photography class begins February

Dorene Sykes — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:21:00 +0000

Smartphone cameras have sure come a long way! My iPhone 4S (always with me) has enabled me to capture some pretty good pictures I would otherwise have missed. But anyone with more than a mild interest in photography knows that taking WOW pictures more consistently means having a real camera, and knowing how to use it.

If you want to move off Auto mode and start taking control of exposure, depth of field, and motion, sign up for my next Basic Photography class at the Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth beginning Saturday, February 4th. After 6 weeks, you will be amazed at how much more artistic control you have over tricky situations… learned in a fun and supportive environment. Take a look here for more info on my Basic and Intermediate classes.

Solstice Singers Dec 2011

Dorene Sykes — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:09:34 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed covering the Solstice Singers concert this past Sunday at the Christ Lutheran Church in Falmouth. It’s always an aural and visual pleasure attending the choral group’s performances. Thanks to the amazing low-light capabilities of my Canon 5D Mark II camera, and also knowing I could reduce “noise” in my digital darkroom, I was able to shoot to my heart’s content in the dark interior of the church. No worries about distracting the audience with flash.

If any of my students or other photographers are wondering, all images except the first four were shot at ISO 12,500 (not a typo!) with around an f/4 aperture and 1/50 second shutter – always a balancing act between controlling noise, depth of field, and subject motion when lighting is dim. Here are a few of my favorites.

Holiday photo cards tip

Dorene Sykes — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:01:54 +0000

While I offer custom holiday photo cards to portrait clients in partnership with Minted.com, anyone can order custom cards themselves directly from Minted.com using their own digital images. My favorite card designs are here. Or browse the entire site. I think you will see why I’ve chosen Minted — a wide variety of artistic designs, fine quality paper stock, and a high degree of customization options to create truly unique, elegant cards.

Falmouth Art Center Fall Juried Show – Best Photograph

Dorene Sykes — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:53:49 +0000

The Falmouth Art Center’s Fall Juried Show opened last Friday. Both of my photographs, along with 10 others, were selected to be part of this competitive show of 88 works of art. And I’m delighted that “Wave Catcher” was awarded “Best Photograph!”

“Wave Catcher” is one of many images selected by the little girl’s mother from her extended family’s portrait session held at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, Cape Cod last summer. She especially adored this one since it so aptly reflected the free and adventurous spirit of her beautiful daughter.

During the visit to the center, I also discovered that “Afternoon Fog” – my other entry – is one of a handful of pieces selected by the Falmouth Garden Club. A club member will create a floral interpretation to be unveiled at the “Petals and Palettes” awards reception held Sunday, October 9 from 2 to 4 PM at the Falmouth Art Center . I hope that many of my friends and fans will be able to attend.

Triplets family portrait North Falmouth beach

Dorene Sykes — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:55:47 +0000

Romping on the beach with 4-year-old triplet boys at a North Falmouth beach was a fun challenge earlier this week. What delightful cutie pies. Not surprisingly, the boys had little interest in sitting or standing poses. But their personalities came alive whenever they were asked to hug or jump or run… especially into Mom and Dad’s arms. Thanks Krista and John for asking me to capture memories of your family’s fun times on Cape Cod!

Family portraits at Wellfleet, Cape Cod rental home

Dorene Sykes — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:20:57 +0000

What fun it was capturing memories during this large family reunion held to celebrate grandmother’s birthday. Held at one of the grand Wellfleet Harbor homes painted by Edward Hopper (1882-1967), Ann and her four adult children and grandchildren enjoyed posing for the camera as I captured candid images and portraits overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Here are some favorite photographs that will surely bring back happy memories for years to come.

Sandwich Cape Cod Family Beach Portrait

Dorene Sykes — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:30:42 +0000

Last Friday evening was an unbelievably hot and sticky evening on Cape Cod, hopefully the end of our unprecedented heat wave. But members of this close-knit family were troopers. We managed to get a nice variety of photographs to commemorate both grandparents’ 80th birthday this year during the family’s reunion week in Dennis. While color portraits showcase this beautiful lighting, there’s something about the classic look of black and white photographs I can’t resist for the marsh portrait.

Grandparents and grandchildren

Doug and Dana’s family

Everyone enjoying a beautiful sunset

The Art of Photography

Dorene Sykes — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:14:31 +0000

I was editing some of my Scotland and Ireland photos. Funny, but there are a few folks who still believe a photograph must be straight from the camera, that it must reflect “reality.” That’s certainly true if its purpose is documentary, such as capturing images at a crime scene. But when it comes to art – landscapes, scenics, portraits – a camera is simply one of many tools used in the creative process.

For example, no camera, no matter how advanced it is (and my Canon 5D Mark II system is right up there), is capable of capturing the full dynamic range that our eyes see when the scene is contrasty – with details in the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. As a photographic artist, Photoshop enables me to create the image as I see it, and as I want others to see and enjoy it. My Irish Robin is an example.

Before Editing

After Editing

The first isn’t bad. But isn’t the second version much more captivating? While I don’t dare post before-and-after images of my portrait clients, I think you can see why no portraits leave my studio without retouching. Capturing the image is just the beginning. The process continues in the digital darkroom to fine tune color, tonal range and composition. To portray my clients in a flattering, realistic way – toning skin and minimizing “imperfections” that we simply don’t notice in person, but glaringly stand out in print. Still looks like a robin, right?

Nobska Beach Portrait, Woods Hole

Dorene Sykes — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:56:59 +0000

A favorite portrait “pose” is the beach jump… for kids of all ages! We all had fun this morning at a large family reunion portrait session at Nobska Beach in Woods Hole. I captured close to 20 wonderful poses, with many variation of each to choose from – from the whole family of 29 to smaller family groups. I couldn’t wait to share this jumping series as Debbie, Mike and their family had a ball! Which jump do you like best?

JUMP #1

JUMP #2

JUMP #3

Recovering…